abeyance
Americannoun
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a state of being suspended or put aside temporarily
-
(usually preceded by in) law an indeterminate state of ownership, as when the person entitled to an estate has not been ascertained
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of abeyance
1520–30; < Anglo-French; Old French abeance aspiration, literally, a gaping at or toward. See a- 5, bay 2, -ance
Explanation
An abeyance is a temporary halt to something, with the emphasis on "temporary." It is usually used with the word "in" or "into"; "in abeyance" suggests a state of waiting or holding. The word abeyance has a legal ring to it, and for a good reason — appearing in English in the 16th century, it comes from the Anglo-French word abeiance, a legal term for waiting or hoping to receive property. Nowadays, the word is used in a similar way. Different legal rights, like property rights, can be held in abeyance until matters are resolved.
Vocabulary lists containing abeyance
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Abeyance admits that she probably should have waited for reconstructive surgery instead of opting for a prosthetic nose.
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026
"It doesn't get any easier, but I'm glad that it's touched so many people," Abeyance said.
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026
Leanne Abeyance, 41, from Telford - who underwent a so-called "Turkey teeth" operation - was left unable to breathe through her nose, which then collapsed days before she underwent an implant removal operation.
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026
"I'm showing people what happened to me so they don't make the same mistake," Ms Abeyance said.
From BBC • Sep. 17, 2025
Abeyance, a-bā′ans, n. a state of suspension or expectation: temporary inactivity—also Abey′ancy.—The v. to Abey is rare.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
